UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended his government’s partial suspension of arms exports to Israel over fears they could be used in a breach of humanitarian law as “a legal decision”, AFP reports.

Starmer said on that Monday’s announcement to suspend 30 of 350 arms exports licences did not signify a change in UK support for Israel’s right to self-defence.

He also said that allies “understand” the UK’s move.

“This is a difficult issue, I recognise that, but it’s a legal decision, not a policy decision,” Starmer told lawmakers during the weekly Prime Minister’s Questions session in parliament.

He said the decision was taken following a review by the foreign ministry into Israel’s conduct of its onslaught against Hamas fighters in the Gaza Strip.